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Background: Osteoporosis (OP) and sarcopenia are prevalent musculoskeletal conditions among the elderly. Nevertheless, the causal relationship between sarcopenia and OP remains a subject of controversy and uncertainty. In this study, we employed cross-sectional analysis and Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the intricate relationship between sarcopenia and OP. Methods: The cross-sectional study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 1999-2020, which involved in 116,876 participants. It assessed the correlation between sarcopenia, osteoporosis (OP), and bone mineral density (BMD) using Chi-square tests, Ttests, and a multiple logistic regression model. Additionally, we conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal effects of sarcopenia-related characteristics (ALM) on OP. We employed IVW, sensitivity analysis, heterogeneity testing, and other methods for MR. The ALM data was sourced from the UK Biobank (n=450,243), while the aggregated data on OP was obtained from GWAS statistics (n=53,236). Results: In this cross-sectional analysis, we observed that in the multivariate logistic regression model, without adjusting for any variables, OP emerged as a risk factor for sarcopenia [OR 95% CI = 1.90 (1.13-3.18), P = 0.02]. Following adjustments for gender, age, BMI, and biochemical variables, OP retained its status as a risk factor for sarcopenia [OR 95% CI = 3.54 (1.91-6.54), P < 0.001]. Moreover, after accounting for all variables, OP emerged as an independent risk factor for sarcopenia [OR 95% CI = 4.57 (1.47-14.22), P = 0.01].In the MR analysis, we uncovered that femoral neck BMD (FN BMD), lumbar spine BMD (LS BMD), and forearm bone mineral density (FA BMD) exerted a direct causal influence on ALM [FA BMD: OR 95% CI = 1.028 (1.008, 1.049), p = 0.006; FN BMD: OR (95% CI) = 1.131 (1.092, 1.170), p = 3.18E-12; LS BMD: OR (95% CI) = 1.080 (1.062, 1.098), p = 2.86E-19]. Conclusion: Our study has revealed a positive correlation between OP and the prevalence of sarcopenia. It suggests a potentially robust causal relationship between OP and sarcopenia. Notably, OP appears to be associated with a higher likelihood of losing ALM, and a significant loss of ALM may contribute to a decline in LS BMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to assess the association between muscle mass and strength and depression through a cross-sectional study of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2014. Muscle mass was calculated by summing the lean body mass of the limbs and muscle strength was assessed by grip strength. Depression was determined by The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire. We used weighted multivariate logistic regression models to explore the relationship between muscle mass and strength and depression. Generalized additive models were used to test for the presence of nonlinear associations. We then constructed a two-piece-wise linear regression model and performed a recursive algorithm to calculate inflection points. In addition, subgroup analyses and interaction tests were performed. The study recruited 4871 adults from the United States. In regression models adjusted for all confounding variables, the OR (95 % CI) for the association between grip strength and appendicular lean mass (ALM) and depression were 0.943 (0.903, 0.985), 0.945 (0.908, 0.983), respectively. There was a non-linear association between grip strength and depression with a turning point of 46.3. The OR (95 % CI) before the turning point was 0.920 (0.872, 0.972). The interaction was statistically significant only in the age analysis. There was also a nonlinear association between ALM and depression, but no significant turning point was found. The interaction was statistically significant in the gender and BMI analyses. Grip strength and ALM are negatively associated with an increased likelihood of depression in US adults. Exercises for muscle mass and strength may help prevent depression. • There is a negative correlation between ALM and depression. • There is a negative correlation between grip strength and depression. • There was a nonlinear association between grip strength and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is a highly aggressive form of skin cancer characterized by rapid metastasis and poor prognosis. PRAME (Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma) is an oncogene overexpressed in various cancers, including melanoma, and is implicated in tumorigenesis and immune evasion. Understanding the spatial expression patterns of PRAME in SKCM can provide insights into the disease mechanism and therapeutic targets. Aim of the Study: This study aims to spatially resolve the transcriptomic profile of PRAME in SKCM and evaluate the therapeutic potential of selected dermato-oncology agents through molecular docking. Methods: Spatial transcriptomics was performed on SKCM tissue samples from 30 patients to map PRAME expression. Differential expression analysis and spatial clustering were conducted. Molecular docking using HDock assessed the binding affinities of PRAME with dermato-oncology agents: vemurafenib, dioxybenzone and octocrylene, as well as their conjugates (O-D: octocrylene-dioxybenzone, O-V: octocrylene-vemurafenib and D-V: dioxybenzone-vemurafenib). Chemsketch facilitated the creation of conjugates, and Pymol was used for visualization. Results: PRAME was significantly upregulated in SKCM tissues, with a mean expression level of 8.5 TPM compared to 1.2 TPM in normal tissues (p < 0.001). HDock analysis revealed that dioxybenzone had a binding energy of –106.08 kcal/mol, octocrylene –107.04 kcal/mol, and vemurafenib –114.15 kcal/mol. The conjugates showed improved binding affinities: O-D had –142.93 kcal/mol, O-V had –152.69 kcal/mol and D-V had –184.53 kcal/mol, with D-V showing the most substantial binding affinity. Conclusion: Spatial transcriptomic profiling highlights PRAME as a key biomarker in SKCM. The molecular docking results indicate that D-V conjugates (dioxybenzone-vemurafenib) possess the highest binding affinity (–184.53 kcal/mol), suggesting a promising therapeutic potential for SKCM treatment. These findings support further investigation into D-V conjugates as targeted treatments for melanoma. Future Prospects: Future research should focus on in vivo validation of the identified therapeutic agents and exploring the role of PRAME in SKCM pathogenesis. Additionally, combining spatial transcriptomics with other omics data could enhance our understanding of the tumor microenvironment and lead to novel therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in March 2023 and its resulting impact on global banking markets have already been exhaustively reported and analysed. This paper examines these events through two different but complementary lenses, root cause analysis and key assumptions check. Together, these methods provide a detailed picture of the causes and derive fact-based conclusions intended to prevent repetition of the mistakes made by SVB's executives and the US banking authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Review of Finance / Revista Brasileira de Finanças is the property of Sociedade Brasileira de Financas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of the present investigation is the development of a numerical model able to adequately represent the effect of several variables, associated to the fused deposition modeling (FDM) procedure, on the mechanical behavior of 3D printed parts. Specifically, 3D printed carbon short‐fiber reinforced thermoplastic parts are numerically analyzed. Previous experimental results have proven that this kind of parts show a global anisotropic behavior, in terms of classical mechanical parameters as stiffness. Thus, special emphasis is done in analyzing the effect of the raster angle / toolpath (inherent to FDM) and the internal microstructure of the deposited filaments (due to the presence of the short fibers). Multiscale finite element models are used to represent the linear elastic behavior at macro scale. The numerical models are also able to include the effect of porosity. Based on experimental results of 3D printed composite parts with 100% infill and different raster angles, elastic transversely isotropic properties are estimated for the individual deposited filaments using a reverse engineering procedure. Obtained results show that for an adequate modeling of FDM composite parts, anisotropic properties of the filament must be taken into account, even when quasi‐isotropic printing parameters are used ("cross‐ply" configurations). Finally, additional numerical analyses of some parameters associated to the FDM technique are done. Specifically, the effect of porosity related to the infill pattern and percentage on the global (macro) apparent stiffness is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe burn injury elicits a profound stress response with the potential for high morbidity and mortality. If polytrauma is present, patient outcomes appear to be worse. Sex-based comparisons indicate females have worse outcomes than males. There are few effective drug therapies to treat burn shock and secondary injury progression. The lack of effective drugs appears to arise from the current treat-as-you-go approach rather than a more integrated systems approach. In this review, we present a brief history of burns research and discuss its pathophysiology from a systems' perspective. The severe burn injury phenotype appears to develop from a rapid and relentless barrage of damage-associated molecular patterns, pathogen-associated molecular patterns, and neural afferent signals, which leads to a state of hyperinflammation, immune dysfunction, coagulopathy, hypermetabolism, and intense pain. We propose that if the central nervous system control of cardiovascular function and endothelial-glycocalyx-mitochondrial coupling can be restored early, these secondary injury processes may be minimized. The therapeutic goal is to switch the injury phenotype to a healing phenotype by reducing fluid leak and maintaining tissue O2 perfusion. Currently, no systems-based therapies exist to treat severe burns. We have been developing a small-volume fluid therapy comprising adenosine, lidocaine, and magnesium (ALM) to treat hemorrhagic shock, traumatic brain injury, and sepsis. Our early studies indicate that the ALM therapy holds some promise in supporting cardiovascular and pulmonary functions following severe burns. Future research will investigate the ability of ALM therapy to treat severe burns with polytrauma and sex disparities, and potential translation to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Severe infection and sepsis are medical emergencies. High morbidity and mortality are linked to CNS dysfunction, excessive inflammation, immune compromise, coagulopathy and multiple organ dysfunction. Males appear to have a higher risk of mortality than females. Currently, there are few or no effective drug therapies to protect the brain, maintain the blood brain barrier, resolve excessive inflammation and reduce secondary injury in other vital organs. We propose a major reason for lack of progress is a consequence of the treat-as-you-go, single-nodal target approach, rather than a more integrated, systems-based approach. A new revolution is required to better understand how the body responds to an infection, identify new markers to detect its progression and discover new system-acting drugs to treat it. In this review, we present a brief history of sepsis followed by its pathophysiology from a systems’ perspective and future opportunities. We argue that targeting the body’s early immune-driven CNS-response may improve patient outcomes. If the barrage of PAMPs and DAMPs can be reduced early, we propose the multiple CNS-organ circuits (or axes) will be preserved and secondary injury will be reduced. We have been developing a systems-based, small-volume, fluid therapy comprising adenosine, lidocaine and magnesium (ALM) to treat sepsis and endotoxemia. Our early studies indicate that ALM therapy shifts the CNS from sympathetic to parasympathetic dominance, maintains cardiovascular-endothelial glycocalyx coupling, reduces inflammation, corrects coagulopathy, and maintains tissue O2 supply. Future research will investigate the potential translation to humans.

Severe infection and sepsis are medical emergencies. High morbidity and mortality are linked to CNS dysfunction, excessive inflammation, immune compromise, coagulopathy and multiple organ dysfunction. Males appear to have a higher risk of mortality than females. Currently, there are few or no effective drug therapies to protect the brain, maintain the blood brain barrier, resolve excessive inflammation and reduce secondary injury in other vital organs. We propose a major reason for lack of progress is a consequence of the treat-as-you-go, single-nodal target approach, rather than a more integrated, systems-based approach. A new revolution is required to better understand how the body responds to an infection, identify new markers to detect its progression and discover new system-acting drugs to treat it. In this review, we present a brief history of sepsis followed by its pathophysiology from a systems' perspective and future opportunities. We argue that targeting the body's early immune-driven CNS-response may improve patient outcomes. If the barrage of PAMPs and DAMPs can be reduced early, we propose the multiple CNS-organ circuits (or axes) will be preserved and secondary injury will be reduced. We have been developing a systems-based, small-volume, fluid therapy comprising adenosine, lidocaine and magnesium (ALM) to treat sepsis and endotoxemia. Our early studies indicate that ALM therapy shifts the CNS from sympathetic to parasympathetic dominance, maintains cardiovascular-endothelial glycocalyx coupling, reduces inflammation, corrects coagulopathy, and maintains tissue O2 supply. Future research will investigate the potential translation to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The aim of the present investigation is the development of a numerical model able to adequately represent the effect of several variables, associated to the fused deposition modeling (FDM) procedure, on the mechanical behavior of 3D printed parts. Specifically, 3D printed carbon short‐fiber reinforced thermoplastic parts are numerically analyzed. Previous experimental results have proven that this kind of parts show a global anisotropic behavior, in terms of classical mechanical parameters as stiffness. Thus, special emphasis is done in analyzing the effect of the raster angle / toolpath (inherent to FDM) and the internal microstructure of the deposited filaments (due to the presence of the short fibers). Multiscale finite element models are used to represent the linear elastic behavior at macro scale. The numerical models are also able to include the effect of porosity. Based on experimental results of 3D printed composite parts with 100% infill and different raster angles, elastic transversely isotropic properties are estimated for the individual deposited filaments using a reverse engineering procedure. Obtained results show that for an adequate modeling of FDM composite parts, anisotropic properties of the filament must be taken into account, even when quasi‐isotropic printing parameters are used (“cross‐ply” configurations). Finally, additional numerical analyses of some parameters associated to the FDM technique are done. Specifically, the effect of porosity related to the infill pattern and percentage on the global (macro) apparent stiffness is analyzed.

Flexible responses to sensory stimuli based on changing rules are critical for adapting to a dynamic environment. However, it remains unclear how the brain encodes and uses rule information to guide behavior. Here, we made single-unit recordings while head-fixed mice performed a cross-modal sensory selection task where they switched between two rules: licking in response to tactile stimuli while rejecting visual stimuli, or vice versa. Along a cortical sensorimotor processing stream including the primary (S1) and secondary (S2) somatosensory areas, and the medial (MM) and anterolateral (ALM) motor areas, single-neuron activity distinguished between the two rules both prior to and in response to the tactile stimulus. We hypothesized that neural populations in these areas would show rule-dependent preparatory states, which would shape the subsequent sensory processing and behavior. This hypothesis was supported for the motor cortical areas (MM and ALM) by findings that (1) the current task rule could be decoded from pre-stimulus population activity; (2) neural subspaces containing the population activity differed between the two rules; and (3) optogenetic disruption of pre-stimulus states impaired task performance. Our findings indicate that flexible action selection in response to sensory input can occur via configuration of preparatory states in the motor cortex.

The current strong global consensus on reducing carbon emissions is a motivation to develop more efficient means of harnessing sustainable sources of energy. Accordingly, research efforts toward the development of more efficient wind turbine designs are desirable. With this motivation, we present a set of numerical studies on flows past vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs). We perform large eddy simulations (LES) of flows past several VAWT configurations. A uniform inflow is set for our simulations. The influence of turbine blades on the flow field is modeled using the actuator line method (ALM). Our focus is on a twin rotor configuration, wherein the rotors are placed close enough, so that the separation between the centers of the two rotors is less than the diameter of the two individual turbines (the overlapping configuration). We demonstrate that such a configuration indeed results in (a) the enhanced power coefficient (ratio of power extracted by the turbine configuration to the power available in the freestream) and (b) better power density (power extracted by a turbine configuration per unit ground area occupied by the VAWT) compared to a single rotor VAWT configuration. Based on our findings, we conclude that the overlapping twin rotor arrangement can prove to be the preferred configuration for large-scale VAWT-based wind farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article I bring the political philosophy of Judith Butler to bear on contemporary and inter-related arguments about race and (in)equality. Focusing most directly on the UK context and taking account of recent changes in UK law, I further address the role of social protest in the pursuit of equality and social justice. Starting with a seemingly simple question which echoes the language of contemporary social protest, I ask ‘what does it mean for lives to matter’. In responding to this I pursue the following aims: (i) develop an awareness of human mattering which moves beyond the lens of neoliberal individualism; (ii) generate an understanding of protest as an intensely human and ethical endeavour; (iii) engage Butler's philosophical arguments in a manner that is accessible to those unfamiliar with their work. I begin with an overview of contemporary social protests and outline recent developments in UK law before introducing key concepts from Butler's work. I then apply Butler's arguments to explore the construct and the language of mattering, before expanding on what it means to matter and the role of social protest in the pursuit of grievable lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DesignUltra-processed foods (UPFs) have become a pressing global health concern, prompting investigations into their potential association with low muscle mass in adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study analyzed data from 10,255 adults aged 20−59 years who participated in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) during cycles spanning from 2011 to 2018. The primary outcome, low muscle mass, was assessed using the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) definition, employing restricted cubic splines and weighted multivariate regression for analysis. Sensitivity analysis incorporated three other prevalent definitions to explore optimal cut points for muscle quality in the context of sarcopenia.ResultsThe weighted prevalence of low muscle mass was 7.65%. Comparing the percentage of UPFs calories intake between individuals with normal and low muscle mass, the values were found to be similar (55.70 vs. 54.62%). Significantly linear associations were observed between UPFs consumption and low muscle mass (P for non-linear = 0.7915, P for total = 0.0117). Upon full adjustment for potential confounding factors, participants with the highest UPFs intake exhibited a 60% increased risk of low muscle mass (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.26, P for trend = 0.003) and a decrease in ALM/BMI (β = −0.0176, 95% CI: −0.0274 to −0.0077, P for trend = 0.003). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the consistency of these associations, except for the International Working Group on Sarcopenia (IWGS) definition, where the observed association between the highest quartiles of UPFs (%Kcal) and low muscle mass did not attain statistical significance (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 0.97 to 1.87, P for trend = 0.082).ConclusionOur study underscores a significant linear association between higher UPFs consumption and an elevated risk of low muscle mass in adults. These findings emphasize the potential adverse impact of UPFs on muscle health and emphasize the need to address UPFs consumption as a modifiable risk factor in the context of sarcopenia.

Introduction: The binding of drugs to plasma proteins is an important consideration in drug development. We have reported that the dose of adenosine, lidocaine, and magnesium (ALM) fluid therapy for resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock is nearly 3‐times higher for pigs than rats. Since lidocaine strongly binds to serum alpha‐1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP), the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of hemorrhagic shock on levels of AGP in rats and pigs. Materials and Methods: Healthy adult male Sprague–Dawley rats and female crossbred pigs (n = 33 each) underwent tail vein and peripheral ear vein blood sampling, respectively, to collect plasma for AGP measurements. Rats (n = 17) and pigs (n = 16) underwent surgical instrumentation and uncontrolled hemorrhage via liver resection, and were treated with 3% NaCl ± ALM IV bolus followed 60 min later by 4 h 0.9% NaCl ± ALM IV drip. Rats were monitored for 72 h with blood samples taken post‐surgery, and at 5.25, 24, and 72 h. Pigs were monitored for 6 h with blood samples taken post‐surgery, and at 60 min and 6 h. Plasma AGP was measured with rat‐ and pig‐specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Baseline AGP levels in rats were 3.91 μg/mL and significantly 83‐fold lower than in pigs (325 μg/mL). Surgical instrumentation was associated with ~10‐fold increases in AGP in rats and a 21% fall in pigs. AGP levels remained elevated in rats after hemorrhage and resuscitation (28–29 μg/mL). In contrast, no significant differences in plasma AGP were found in ALM‐ or Saline‐treated pigs over the monitoring period. Conclusions: We conclude that the trauma of surgery alone was associated with significant increases in AGP in rats, compared to a contrasting decrease in pigs. Higher levels of plasma AGP in pigs prior to hemorrhagic shock is consistent with the higher ALM doses required to resuscitate pigs compared with rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) offer a pragmatic solution with a cost-effective ratio when provisioning ubiquitous broadband internet access and diverse telecommunication systems. The conceptual underpinning of mesh networks finds application not only in IEEE networks, but also in 3GPP networks like LTE and the low-power wide area network (LPWAN) tailored for the burgeoning Internet of Things (IoT) landscape. IEEE 802.11s is well known for its facto standard for WMN, which defines the hybrid wireless mesh protocol (HWMP) as a layer-2 routing protocol and airtime link (ALM) as a metric. In this intricate landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) plays a prominent role in the industry, particularly within the technology and telecommunication realms. This study presents a novel methodology for the computation of routing metrics, specifically the ALM. This methodology implements the network simulator ns-3 and the RStudio as a statistical computing environment for data analysis. The former has enabled for the creation of scripts that elicit a variety of scenarios for WMN where information is gathered and stored in databases. The latter (RStudio) takes this information, and at this point, two linear predictions are supported. The first uses linear models (lm) and the second employs general linear models (glm). To conclude this process, statistical tests are applied to the original model, as well as to the new suggested ones. This work substantially contributes in two ways: first, through the methodological tool for the metric calculation of the HWMP protocol that belongs to the IEEE 802.11s standard, using lm and glm for the selection and validation of the model regressors. At this stage the ANOVA and STEPWIZE tools of RStudio are used. The second contribution is a linear predictor that improves the WMN's performance as a priori mechanism before the use of the ns-3 simulator. The ANCOVA tool of RStudio is employed in the latter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The D3-creatine (D3Cr) dilution method provides a direct measure of skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to compare the association of D3Cr muscle mass with lean body mass (LBM) measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and examine its relation with physical function in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Seventy-four community-dwelling women (mean age 82.3 ± 5.4) participated in this pilot study from the Buffalo, New York clinical site of the Womens Health Initiative (WHI). Participants attended a clinic visit which included anthropometric measures, blood draw, DXA scan, measures of physical function, and initiated the D3Cr protocol. Physical function was evaluated using hand grip strength, short physical performance battery (SPPB), and RAND-36 physical function scale. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of D3Cr muscle mass with functional outcomes. RESULTS: D3-creatine muscle mass was moderately correlated with DXA LBM (r = 0.50) and DXA appendicular lean mass (ALM) (r = 0.50). Individuals with high D3Cr muscle mass (%) had higher physical function compared to individuals with low muscle mass (%), indicated by high scores on SPPB (odds ratio [OR] = 5.24; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40, 19.58). We observed stronger relationships between high D3Cr and physical function than either DXA LBM (OR = 3.40; 95% CI: 0.88, 13.11) or DXA ALM (OR = 4.15; 95% CI: 1.10, 15.68) and physical function. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide strong preliminary data for the associations of D3Cr muscle mass with measures of physical function in older women. These findings support and extend prior work on D3Cr muscle mass in older men.

Abstract Introduction The binding of drugs to plasma proteins is an important consideration in drug development. We have reported that the dose of adenosine, lidocaine, and magnesium (ALM) fluid therapy for resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock is nearly 3‐times higher for pigs than rats. Since lidocaine strongly binds to serum alpha‐1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP), the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of hemorrhagic shock on levels of AGP in rats and pigs. Materials and Methods Healthy adult male Sprague–Dawley rats and female crossbred pigs (n = 33 each) underwent tail vein and peripheral ear vein blood sampling, respectively, to collect plasma for AGP measurements. Rats (n = 17) and pigs (n = 16) underwent surgical instrumentation and uncontrolled hemorrhage via liver resection, and were treated with 3% NaCl ± ALM IV bolus followed 60 min later by 4 h 0.9% NaCl ± ALM IV drip. Rats were monitored for 72 h with blood samples taken post‐surgery, and at 5.25, 24, and 72 h. Pigs were monitored for 6 h with blood samples taken post‐surgery, and at 60 min and 6 h. Plasma AGP was measured with rat‐ and pig‐specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results Baseline AGP levels in rats were 3.91 μg/mL and significantly 83‐fold lower than in pigs (325 μg/mL). Surgical instrumentation was associated with ~10‐fold increases in AGP in rats and a 21% fall in pigs. AGP levels remained elevated in rats after hemorrhage and resuscitation (28–29 μg/mL). In contrast, no significant differences in plasma AGP were found in ALM‐ or Saline‐treated pigs over the monitoring period. Conclusions We conclude that the trauma of surgery alone was associated with significant increases in AGP in rats, compared to a contrasting decrease in pigs. Higher levels of plasma AGP in pigs prior to hemorrhagic shock is consistent with the higher ALM doses required to resuscitate pigs compared with rats.

Copyright of Brazilian Review of Finance / Revista Brasileira de Finanças is the property of Sociedade Brasileira de Financas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The augmented Lagrangian method (ALM) is extended to a broader-than-ever setting of generalized nonlinear programming in convex and nonconvex optimization that is capable of handling many common manifestations of nonsmoothness. With the help of a recently developed sufficient condition for local optimality, it is shown to be derivable from the proximal point algorithm through a kind of local duality corresponding to an optimal solution and accompanying multiplier vector that furnish a local saddle point of the augmented Lagrangian. This approach leads to surprising insights into stepsize choices and new results on linear convergence that draw on recent advances in convergence properties of the proximal point algorithm. Local linear convergence is shown to be assured for a class of model functions that covers more territory than before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Second-order sufficient conditions for local optimality have long been central to designing solution algorithms and justifying claims about their convergence. Here a far-reaching extension of such conditions, called variational sufficiency, is explored in territory beyond just classical nonlinear programming. Variational sufficiency is already known to support multiplier methods that are able, even without convexity, to achieve problem decomposition, but further insight has been needed into how it coordinates with other sufficient conditions. In the framework of this paper, it is shown to characterize local optimality in terms of having a convex–concave-type local saddle point of an augmented Lagrangian function. A stronger version of variational sufficiency is tied in turn to local strong convexity in the primal argument of that function and a property of augmented tilt stability that offers crucial aid to Lagrange multiplier methods at a fundamental level of analysis. Moreover, that strong version is translated here through second-order variational analysis into statements that can readily be compared to existing sufficient conditions in nonlinear programming, second-order cone programming, and other problem formulations which can incorporate nonsmooth objectives and regularization terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to investigate the impact of risk factors on the performance of Jordanian commercial banks listed at Amman Stock Exchange - ASE, in addition to explore the mediating role of Asset-Liabilities Management in determining the performance of Jordanian commercial banks through micro risk factors based on a sample of 13 banks' data for 15 years from 2006 - 2020. Regression model was used as the study tool. The results indicated that, Jordanian commercial banks performance is significantly affected by micro risk factors in dissimilar direction. Liquidity risk influenced positively banks' performance, while the credit risk and operational risk affected negatively on the bank's financial performance. Finally, the Asset-Liabilities Management strategy improved the performance of Jordanian commercial banks by 20% to 25%. Subsequently, banks' healthy liquidity position should be sustained to enhance performance, and banks' management should focus more on adopting better approaches in order to constringe credit and operational risk. Additionally, as ALM contemplate a positive impact on financial performance, more concentration should be practiced by management on this technique in order to elevate financial performance to function as a cushion in future unexpected events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-rotor wind turbines (MRWTs) have attracted widespread attention due to their high efficiency and large generating capacity, and they have become a potential solution for offshore wind turbines. A co-axial MRWT has the advantages of high power density and a small footprint. The actuator line method-large eddy simulation (ALM-LES) is applied to investigate the aerodynamics and near-wake characteristics of unidirectional and counter-rotating co-axial MRWTs. The influence of the blade tip vortices on rotor-to-rotor interactions, wake mixing, and recovery are analyzed. The results show that the unidirectional co-axial twin-rotor wind turbine has a good aerodynamic performance. The torque of the two rotors fluctuates significantly and periodically when the twin rotors rotate in reverse. A distance of 0.3 R between the rotors causes the front rotors to impact the aerodynamic performance of the rear rotors, whereas exceeding 0.5 R minimizes the influence of the rear rotor on the front rotor. And an appropriate azimuth angle should be selected to avoid adverse effects on aerodynamic performance. • Research on basic aerodynamic performance of co-axial MRWTs with different rotor arrangements. • The mechanism of tip vortex interaction between rotors of co-axial MRWTs with different rotor arrangements. • Azimuth angle differences influence on unidirectional co-axial MRWT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this article, the Ryningsnäs site in Sweden is investigated using large eddy simulation with three different clearing setups: a homogeneous forest, that is, no clearing, the current clearing, that is, the existing clearing at the location, and an extended clearing. Neutral stratification is simulated, and the wind turbines are modelled by a two‐way‐coupled actuator line model. From the simulations, the electrical generator power was found to be the highest for the current clearing. But the fatigue loads were both higher and lower than the homogeneous forest depending on which part of the wind turbine that was investigated. The extended clearing nearly always had the lowest fatigue loads but unfortunately also the lowest electrical generator power. Further optimization of the clearings and the wind turbine locations in relation to them is needed to find the sweet spot where the fatigue loads are lower and the electrical generator power is higher.

This research aims to know whether the jigsaw learning strategy is better than the audio-lingual method to teach speaking. This experimental research was carried out in the vocational school. The population was four classes (140 students) of eleventh grade A, B, C, D, and E. The samples were the eleventh grade A as the experimental group and B as the control group. Each group consists of 30 students. The experimental group was taught using the Jigsaw learning strategy, while the control group used the Audio-Lingual Method. The data collection technique was through the speaking test, and the data analysis technique was through descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The data analysis shows that the mean score of the students who were taught by using the jigsaw learning strategy is 81,23, while the mean score of the students who were taught by using the audio-lingual method is 76,03. Moreover, the Fo (8,77) is higher than Ft (4,00) at the significance level of significance α= 0,05, which means the null hypotheses are rejected, and the alternative hypotheses are accepted. In conclusion, the jigsaw learning strategy is more effective than the audio-lingual method to teach speaking.

We assume a hypothetical defined benefit (DB) pension plan that reflects the characteristics of the occupational pension in South Korea and propose a surplus optimization strategy using a regime‐switching model. Using conditional surplus at risk, we construct an optimized portfolio that limits extreme tail risks. Furthermore, we identify the surplus risk and return conditional on global macroeconomic status using a hidden Markov model. The main results are that (i) the DB pension portfolio should move from principal‐protected products to diverse capital market products, and (ii) the DB pension portfolio using the regime‐switching model outperforms an unconditional static portfolio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, many explanations have been put forward to explain early and late deaths following hemorrhagic trauma. Most include single-event, sequential contributions from sympathetic hyperactivity, endotheliopathy, trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC), hyperinflammation, immune dysfunction, ATP deficit and multiple organ failure (MOF). We view early and late deaths as a systems failure, not as a series of manifestations that occur over time. The traditional approach appears to be a by-product of last century's highly reductionist, single-nodal thinking, which also extends to patient management, drug treatment and drug design. Current practices appear to focus more on alleviating symptoms rather than addressing the underlying problem. In this review, we discuss the importance of the system, and focus on the brain's "privilege" status to control secondary injury processes. Loss of status from blood brain barrier damage may be responsible for poor outcomes. We present a unified Systems Hypothesis Of Trauma (SHOT) which involves: 1) CNS-cardiovascular coupling, 2) Endothelial-glycocalyx health, and 3) Mitochondrial integrity. If central control of cardiovascular coupling is maintained, we hypothesize that the endothelium will be protected, mitochondrial energetics will be maintained, and immune dysregulation, inflammation, TIC and MOF will be minimized. Another overlooked contributor to early and late deaths following hemorrhagic trauma is from the trauma of emergent surgery itself. This adds further stress to central control of secondary injury processes. New point-of-care drug therapies are required to switch the body's genomic and proteomic programs from an injury phenotype to a survival phenotype. Currently, no drug therapy exists that targets the whole system following major trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteoporosis (OP) and sarcopenia are prevalent musculoskeletal conditions among the elderly. Nevertheless, the causal relationship between sarcopenia and OP remains a subject of controversy and uncertainty. In this study, we employed cross-sectional analysis and Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the intricate relationship between sarcopenia and OP., Methods: The cross-sectional study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 1999-2020, which involved in 116,876 participants. It assessed the correlation between sarcopenia, osteoporosis (OP), and bone mineral density (BMD) using Chi-square tests, T-tests, and a multiple logistic regression model. Additionally, we conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal effects of sarcopenia-related characteristics (ALM) on OP. We employed IVW, sensitivity analysis, heterogeneity testing, and other methods for MR. The ALM data was sourced from the UK Biobank (n=450,243), while the aggregated data on OP was obtained from GWAS statistics (n=53,236)., Results: In this cross-sectional analysis, we observed that in the multivariate logistic regression model, without adjusting for any variables, OP emerged as a risk factor for sarcopenia [OR 95% CI = 1.90 (1.13-3.18), P = 0.02]. Following adjustments for gender, age, BMI, and biochemical variables, OP retained its status as a risk factor for sarcopenia [OR 95% CI = 3.54 (1.91-6.54), P < 0.001]. Moreover, after accounting for all variables, OP emerged as an independent risk factor for sarcopenia [OR 95% CI = 4.57 (1.47-14.22), P = 0.01].In the MR analysis, we uncovered that femoral neck BMD (FN BMD), lumbar spine BMD (LS BMD), and forearm bone mineral density (FA BMD) exerted a direct causal influence on ALM [FA BMD: OR 95% CI = 1.028 (1.008, 1.049), p = 0.006; FN BMD: OR (95% CI) = 1.131 (1.092, 1.170), p = 3.18E-12; LS BMD: OR (95% CI) = 1.080 (1.062, 1.098), p = 2.86E-19]., Conclusion: Our study has revealed a positive correlation between OP and the prevalence of sarcopenia. It suggests a potentially robust causal relationship between OP and sarcopenia. Notably, OP appears to be associated with a higher likelihood of losing ALM, and a significant loss of ALM may contribute to a decline in LS BMD., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Zhu, Zeng, Shi, Qin, Liu, Yang, Qiu, Pan, An and Li.)

Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) offer a pragmatic solution with a cost-effective ratio when provisioning ubiquitous broadband internet access and diverse telecommunication systems. The conceptual underpinning of mesh networks finds application not only in IEEE networks, but also in 3GPP networks like LTE and the low-power wide area network (LPWAN) tailored for the burgeoning Internet of Things (IoT) landscape. IEEE 802.11s is well known for its facto standard for WMN, which defines the hybrid wireless mesh protocol (HWMP) as a layer-2 routing protocol and airtime link (ALM) as a metric. In this intricate landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) plays a prominent role in the industry, particularly within the technology and telecommunication realms. This study presents a novel methodology for the computation of routing metrics, specifically the ALM. This methodology implements the network simulator ns-3 and the RStudio as a statistical computing environment for data analysis. The former has enabled for the creation of scripts that elicit a variety of scenarios for WMN where information is gathered and stored in databases. The latter (RStudio) takes this information, and at this point, two linear predictions are supported. The first uses linear models (lm) and the second employs general linear models (glm). To conclude this process, statistical tests are applied to the original model, as well as to the new suggested ones. This work substantially contributes in two ways: first, through the methodological tool for the metric calculation of the HWMP protocol that belongs to the IEEE 802.11s standard, using lm and glm for the selection and validation of the model regressors. At this stage the ANOVA and STEPWIZE tools of RStudio are used. The second contribution is a linear predictor that improves the WMN’s performance as a priori mechanism before the use of the ns-3 simulator. The ANCOVA tool of RStudio is employed in the latter.

The brain plans and executes volitional movements. The underlying patterns of neural population activity have been explored in the context of movements of the eyes, limbs, tongue, and head in nonhuman primates and rodents. How do networks of neurons produce the slow neural dynamics that prepare specific movements and the fast dynamics that ultimately initiate these movements? Recent work exploits rapid and calibrated perturbations of neural activity to test specific dynamical systems models that are capable of producing the observed neural activity. These joint experimental and computational studies show that cortical dynamics during motor planning reflect fixed points of neural activity (attractors). Subcortical control signals reshape and move attractors over multiple timescales, causing commitment to specific actions and rapid transitions to movement execution. Experiments in rodents are beginning to reveal how these algorithms are implemented at the level of brain-wide neural circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a novel application of the Stochastic Dual Dynamic Problem (SDDP) to large-scale asset allocation. We construct a model that delivers allocation policies based on how the portfolio performs with respect to user-defined (synthetic) indexes, and implement it in a SDDP open-source package. Based on US economic cycles and ETF data, we generate Markovian regime-dependent returns to solve an instance of multiple assets and 28 time periods. Results show our solution outperforms its benchmark, in both profitability and tracking error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Análisis Filosófico is the property of Sociedad Argentina de Analisis Filosofico and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Design of effective equalizer for modern multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO OFDM) wireless system is an important research problem as reconstruction of original information is quite challenging in the presence of different channel impairments. The equalizer design addressed in this paper uses IEEE 802.11 g indoor channel model and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) constellation to describe the fading statistics with a limited user mobility. The important research contributions can be visualized looking into two important aspects which includes a split complex extreme learning machine model trained using adaptive Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm and ON/OFF strategy of the equalizer using threshold based on signal to noise ratio (SNR) and inter symbol interference that indirectly helps in designing an energy efficient wireless receiver. Evaluation parameters like mean square error (MSE), eye diagram and symbol error rate (SER) have been considered in this paper to prove the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. The MSE value decreases to the range of 10 - 2 with a varying training testing (I/K) ratio of 0.05 to 0.5. In addition, the proposed equalizer model outperforms the other existing methods in terms of SER by revealing a low value of 0.001 in 7 dB SNR in indoor channel conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeitschrift für die gesamte Versicherungswissenschaft is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this article, the Ryningsnäs site in Sweden is investigated using large eddy simulation with three different clearing setups: a homogeneous forest, that is, no clearing, the current clearing, that is, the existing clearing at the location, and an extended clearing. Neutral stratification is simulated, and the wind turbines are modelled by a two‐way‐coupled actuator line model. From the simulations, the electrical generator power was found to be the highest for the current clearing. But the fatigue loads were both higher and lower than the homogeneous forest depending on which part of the wind turbine that was investigated. The extended clearing nearly always had the lowest fatigue loads but unfortunately also the lowest electrical generator power. Further optimization of the clearings and the wind turbine locations in relation to them is needed to find the sweet spot where the fatigue loads are lower and the electrical generator power is higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we investigate how digitalization has attained the role of policy imperative in the culture sector, and how the imperative is influencing contemporary policy discourses on archives, libraries and museums (ALM-organizations) in Norway. We have analyzed policy documents issued by state authorities within the Norwegian ALM-sector since the time around the turn of the century, and demonstrate through the analysis that one must take three types of cultural processes into consideration in order to understand how digitalization has attained the status as policy imperative. Each of the cultural processes amounts to a form of mystification. Firstly, one must understand that digitalization’s ascendancy into a policy imperative is in part a process of imitation, of other countries and societal sectors. Secondly, one must take into account the conceptual framing of the policy discourse, in particular in relation to the epochalist vision that structure the discourse. Thirdly, one must take into account the process of fetishism which is at work in this policy discourse. Combined, these processes lead to digitalization being perceived as a force which is external to social relations, dictating action on the part of actors working within the sector. As such, digitalization comes effectively to serve as an overarching policy imperative in the culture sector.

Flexible responses to sensory stimuli based on changing rules are critical for adapting to a dynamic environment. However, it remains unclear how the brain encodes and uses rule information to guide behavior. Here, we made single-unit recordings while head-fixed mice performed a cross-modal sensory selection task where they switched between two rules: licking in response to tactile stimuli while rejecting visual stimuli, or vice versa. Along a cortical sensorimotor processing stream including the primary (S1) and secondary (S2) somatosensory areas, and the medial (MM) and anterolateral (ALM) motor areas, single-neuron activity distinguished between the two rules both prior to and in response to the tactile stimulus. We hypothesized that neural populations in these areas would show rule-dependent preparatory states, which would shape the subsequent sensory processing and behavior. This hypothesis was supported for the motor cortical areas (MM and ALM) by findings that (1) the current task rule could be decoded from pre-stimulus population activity; (2) neural subspaces containing the population activity differed between the two rules; and (3) optogenetic disruption of pre-stimulus states impaired task performance. Our findings indicate that flexible action selection in response to sensory input can occur via configuration of preparatory states in the motor cortex., Competing Interests: YC, EF, DX, DO No competing interests declared, (© 2023, Chang et al.)

This paper presents an innovative method of technology mapping of the circuits in ALM appearing in FPGA devices by Intel. The essence of the idea is based on using triangle tables that are connected with different configurations of blocks. The innovation of the proposed method focuses on the possibility of choosing an appropriate configuration of an ALM block, which is connected with choosing an appropriate decomposition path. The effectiveness of the proposed technique of technology mapping is proved by experiments conducted on combinational and sequential circuits.

Abstract Background ALM solution, a combination of adenosine, lidocaine and Mg2+, is an emerging small volume therapy that has been shown to prevent and correct coagulopathy and surgery-related inflammation in preclinical models, though its application in orthopaedic surgery is yet to be demonstrated. The effect of ALM solution on chondrocytes is unknown. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the effect of ALM solution on viability and inflammatory responses of chondrogenically-differentiated human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (chondro-MSC), in vitro. Methods Chondro-MSC were exposed to media only, saline (0.9% NaCl or 1.3% NaCl) only, or saline containing ALM (1 mM adenosine, 3 mM lidocaine, 2.5 mM Mg2+) or tranexamic acid (TXA, 100 mg/ml) for 1 or 4 h. Responses to ALM solutions containing higher lidocaine concentrations were also compared. Chondrocyte viability was determined using WST-8 colorimetric assays and inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3, MMP-12, MMP-13) concentrations using multiplex bead arrays. Results The viability of chondro-MSC was significantly greater after 1 h treatment with ALM compared to saline (96.2 ± 7.9 versus 75.6 ± 7.3%). Extension of exposure times to 4 h had no significant adverse effect on cell viability after treatment with ALM (1 h, 85.4 ± 5.6 v 4 h, 74.0 ± 15.2%). Cytotoxicity was evident following exposure to solutions containing lidocaine concentrations greater than 30 mM. There were no significant differences in viability (80 ± 5.4 v 57.3 ± 16.2%) or secretion of IL-8 (60 ± 20 v 160 ± 50 pg/ml), MMP-3 (0.95 ± 0.6 v 3.4 ± 1.6 ng/ml), and MMP-13 (4.2 ± 2.4 v 9.2 ± 4.3 ng/ml) in chondro-MSC exposed to saline, ALM or TXA. Conclusions Short-term, in vitro exposure to clinically-relevant concentrations of ALM solution had no adverse inflammatory or chondrotoxic effects on human chondro-MSC, with responses comparable to saline and TXA. These findings provide support for continued evaluation of ALM solution as a possible therapeutic to improve outcomes following orthopaedic procedures.

Several methods based on Total Variation (TV) have been proposed for Hyperspectral Image (HSI) denoising. However, the TV terms of these methods just use various l1 norms and penalize image gradient magnitudes, having a negative influence on the preprocessing of HSI denoising and further HSI classification task. In this paper, a novel l0 Total Variation (l0 TV) is first introduced and analyzed for the HSI noise removal framework to preserve more information for classification. We propose a novel Tensor low-rank constraint and $l_0$ Total Variation (TLR-l0 TV) model in this paper. l0 TV directly controls the number of non-zero gradients and focuses on recovering the sharp image edges. The spectral-spatial information among all bands is exploited uniformly for removing mixed noise, which facilitates the subsequent classification after denoising. Including the Weighted Sum of Weighted Nuclear Norm (WSWNN) and the Weighted Sum of Weighted Tensor Nuclear Norm (WSWTNN), we propose two TLR-l0 TV-based algorithms, namely WSWNN-l0 TV and WSWTNN-l0 TV. The Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) and the Augmented Lagrange Multiplier (ALM) are employed to solve the l0 TV model and TLR-l0 TV model, respectively. In both simulated and real data, the proposed models achieve superior performances in mixed noise removal of HSI. Especially, HSI classification accuracy is improved more effectively after denoising by the proposed TLR- l0 TV method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal intervention effects require adequate implementation fidelity, and high sustained implementation fidelity is hypothesized a pre-requisite for long-term positive intervention effects. However, implementing interventions with high fidelity seems particularly difficult in schools. The purpose of the this prospective longitudinal study was to add to the current knowledge by testing the predictive effects of school structural, cultural, instructional and community-level factors to longer-term fidelity in a sample of 65 representative primary schools in Norway (Grades 1–7) implementing the evidence-based School-Wide Positive Behavior Support model (SWPBS). Results from the Automatic Linear Modeling analysis which included more than 300 predictor variables, showed that the 10 most important predictors were all related to the schools inner context, in particular to the cultural characteristics of the schools, teachers' disciplinary practices, and prior fidelity. The findings are discussed in relation to prior and future research, and practical implications are coined.